Mother deported after attempting to give newborn to another woman to pay smuggler debt
May 11, 2026 · St. Louis, MO, Mexico
Maria Lidia Valle-Hernandez, a 28-year-old from Mexico, was removed from the United States on May 11, 2026, after attempting to fraudulently transfer her newborn baby to another undocumented immigrant to pay a debt to smugglers. She registered under a false name at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lake Saint Louis before giving birth in January 2024 and gave her hospital identification wristband to another woman to falsely claim the infant. Valle-Hernandez had been caught illegally entering the U.S. five times in August 2022 and was arrested for domestic assault in April 2026, which led to an ICE detainer. The newborn was taken into protective custody by Missouri Children's Division.
Sources
More incidents in Missouri
- Venezuelan man deported after Missouri traffic stop, family now strugglingAug 21, 2026 · Christian County, MO
- Father of two detained by ICE at Sikeston rodeo after overstaying visaAug 10, 2026 · Sikeston, MO
- 22-year-old detained at Sikeston rodeo after visa expiration, family calls it nightmareAug 10, 2026 · Sikeston, MO
- Four individuals detained by ICE at Sikeston Bootheel RodeoAug 9, 2026 · Sikeston, MO
- Missouri woman self-deported to reunite with husband, both shot dead in Guatemala weeks laterJul 26, 2026 · Overland, MO
- Air Force sergeant's father detained at USCIS appointment, deported to MexicoJul 18, 2026 · Missouri